Claims that incidents of physical and verbal abuse against drivers are on the rise are being denied by the bus service operator but the General Workers’ Union insists workers were increasingly apprehensive while on the job.

The debate was stoked by a Times of Malta report about a Nigerian bus driver who was attacked by a motorist. The incident happened on September 21 in Mosta when Donatus Okereke, 28, who resides in Birżebbuġa, had to be treated at a health centre after being punched three times in the face.

Mr Okereke had expressed concern that this was not an isolated incident, having had three such experiences since the start of the year.

His concerns were shared by some of his colleagues who said that such cases are becoming increasingly common. Drivers who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity vented their frustration that they were being left alone to face awkward situations. One recounted an incident when he was threatened with a knife simply because he noted that a passenger had an expired ticket.

Read more on Times of Malta.